Whether you're starting a business or doing general business research, the Business, Science & Technology Department at the Central Library can assist you with your endeavors. The department has an extensive collection of databases, as well books, magazines, and newspapers covering most major business subjects, including industry information, commerce, statistics, banking, economics, finance, investment, marketing, and more. Reference Librarians are available to assist patrons in acquiring information and materials in order to improve their chance for success.

"Profiles 6,759 manufacturers, listed five ways: by product, alphabetically, by city, by S.I.C. and by parent company. Complete addresses, phone numbers and flags for new businesses in city, alphabetical and SIC sections."

"This core resource for industry ratios & benchmarks is from RMA, a banking organization (Risk Management Association, formerly Robert Morris Associates). Arranged by NAICS code, with breakdowns by asset size of companies in an industry. Also includes brief overview of financial ratios"

"This resource contains accurate demographic information for every U.S. ZIP Code, based on the release of ESRI 2007/2012 projections of key population and income data. Updated variables for population, households, families, income, race, age, and consumer spending for a wide variety of products and services are included in this reference tool."

"A complete reference tool listing various industries worldwide. It contains everything you need to know to be business-literate in the 21st century. It is unique, authoritative and wide-ranging, including practical and strategic advice for anyone doing business today."

Provides a wide selection of Alabama legal forms across the most popular legal areas. Includes real estate contracts, wills, pre-marital agreements, bankruptcy, divorce, landlord tenant and many others. Also included is a comprehensive attorney state directory and a dictionary of legal definitions explained in laymen's language.

Actual business plans compiled by, and aimed at, entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses. Presents sample plans taken from businesses in the manufacturing, retail and service industries which serve as examples of how to approach, structure and compose business plans. -site

Ferguson's Career Guidance Center is a comprehensive career research database, providing detailed and up-to-date profiles of more than 2,050 of today's most popular jobs in more than 94 industries. This database now contains hundreds of new, in-depth job and industry descriptions; as well as a searchable archive of articles from current and past issues of Career Opportunities News, a 16-page, bi-monthly newsletter that provides timely information about colleges and the job market. Organized by industry, Ferguson's Career Guidance Center covers careers and career resources, as well as career preparation information, including scholarships, academic programs, non-academic programs, web resources, and an employability skills checklist. An extensive "Four Steps to a New Job" section provides invaluable guidance on everything from choosing a career to finding and applying for a job to learning about employment benefits and laws.

The guide was produced to give new business owners a general
overview of the different areas of taxation required by the State of Alabama.
Please note that this brochure was produced as a guide and it is not the final
word on Alabama law.